Beyond The System
Chapter 188: Bathe in Fire

What have you been up to? I asked Wyrem.

Trying to access my memories. His voice echoed in that same focused tone. We need to find a way for you to absorb new elements. We're not sure how yet, but you should work on increasing your Spiritual Sense as soon as possible.

I glanced back at the serpent... I wonder if it has a name.

Not that I’m arguing, I said, still watching it, but why do you need me to cultivate more elements?

Wyrem stirred inside me, his presence expanding for a brief moment before shrinking back to its usual condensed form. As he shifted, a noticeable chunk of my Internal Force drained into him, maybe unintentionally. Maybe part of his cultivation process.

When I grow stronger, or at least more energetically stable, more of my memories unlock, he explained. When I was first born it was only the technique to eat energy. Then came the method for wing growth. But lately, I’ve felt a second thread. Something scratching at the back of my mind.

Luna coiled tightly around my arm, petals twitching with thought. Can you teach us how to eat World Force? she asked.

He took his time before answering, probably measuring his words. I wasn’t bluffing before. It requires my bloodline—the blood of dragons. Even if it's thinned almost to extinction.

Then he added, Peter’s method suits you better.

The serpent opened its eyes as I approached, still cautious, but no longer hostile. I extended my left arm, deliberately keeping it free of Luna’s thorns.

Give it something, Wyrem, I prompted.

Our minds connected again, pulled into that strange shared void. But before Wyrem could speak, the serpent’s voice cut through first, urgent, and laced with desperation.

"Do that thing again."

I blinked, stunned by the tone. The arrogance was gone, completely replaced by something bordering on reverence. Toward me. There was no hunger,  greed, or threat. Which was surprising considering most monsters instinctively tried to eat me. Still had no idea why this one didn’t.

"I can only do it a few times a day," I told it, watching its aura ripple. "And not for long, but I’ve got no problem letting you benefit from it. On one condition: you let us stay."

The red aura pulsed several times, bright and immediate, lighting the void space around it.

"Stay as long as you need," it said. "If you keep using that power, stay forever if you like!"

A softer green pulse flickered beside me.

“About my methods…” Wyrem started.

“What?” the guardian asked, momentarily confused. “Oh. Right. You said some crazy things earlier, didn’t you?”

I felt Wyrem bristle beside me, his frustration spiking. But if a cloud of spiritual essence could take a deep breath… that’s exactly what he did.

“I. Am. Not. Crazy,” he said with deadly calm. “Follow me, and you will truly thrive.”

The serpent considered. “Will the boy be with you?”

“…Yes.”

“Then tell me whatever you like,” it replied, voice relaxed, finally open.

With that, I pulled my consciousness from the void. The real world shimmered back into focus, the sunlit clearing appearing around me once more. My hand still rested on the serpent’s side, and I kept my eyes closed, letting the Beast Force continue to flow into it.

Wyrem? I called, testing to see if he could respond, but as expected, there was no response.

The others were still seated, unmoving, eyes open but locked forward in caution. And me? I could only hope Wyrem wouldn’t take too long teaching this first step of his great cultivation method because apparently, it was the only step he actually remembered.

The Dragon Vein was within reach. The serpent no longer seemed interested in harming us. So...

No. I said I would keep watch. Clear your head. Touch it later.

Luna, I’m bored.

Her leaves shimmered faintly orange. And what am I supposed to do about that?

Entertain me, I requested.

Luna obliged with a three-second light show, her leaves shimmering through the full color spectrum, each hue flickering briefly before cycling to the next.

Good enough? she asked, faintly amused.

Honestly, I hadn’t even expected her to try. Thanks.

She must’ve gone straight back to training after that, because no more words came through. Silence took over again. My mind started to drift, not to the looming dangers ahead, but toward progress. The future I still had to build. The possibilities.

There had to be a way to sense other forms of energy. Elric’s comments had been vague, but they proved it was possible. He’d said he could feel something else, but he couldn’t identify the individual energies using that ability... What did he call it?

Unveiled Perception.

Some kind of reverse version of the Sensory Veil, though he never explained how it worked, only that it did.

Before I could dwell on that further, Wyrem snapped through my thoughts like a thunderclap.

Ungrateful brat! he barked inside my head, jolting me from the spiral.

I pulled my hand back, expression innocent. 

So... how’d it go? I asked, sweetly.

Sounds like it went well, Luna added dryly.

The energy worm inside me practically bristled with rage. The dumb child said he’d rather stay here in peace, alone! Just because there might be some danger!

I blinked. That... didn’t sound so unreasonable. Isn’t that smart? I mean, slow progress is better than death. What’s the issue?

The issue, he huffed, is that he’ll never transform if he doesn’t eat properly! It’s one thing to absorb World Force, but beast cores? They’re far more potent. Especially in this area. He’s wasting his potential. He could be magnificent!

Wyrem groaned, dramatically. Then, after a pause—In the end, Luna, you truly are my only worthy student.

Her petals flushed a bright pink. Yes. Of course. Don’t you forget it… Thank you.

I remembered vaguely that he once said he needed some kind of resource from a beast to rebuild his body. Something rare.

Where do you get Beast Cores? I asked.

His answer came instantly, no hesitation. I’ve never seen one myself, but I know they come from truly exceptional monsters. Some because they’re powerful. Others because of their bloodline. Old blood.

I looked down at the serpent, my hand now withdrawn. What about this guy?

No, Wyrem said, without pause. His bloodline’s too diluted, or his power could just be too unrefined at the moment. Maybe, if he consolidates over time... but not yet.

Still, it made me wonder. Just how strong would a creature have to be to form one of these so-called cores? This serpent already seemed overwhelmingly powerful, especially with that flame brea—

And then it hit me.

All my scattered thoughts snapped together, forming something ridiculous. Something insane.

During the illusion world, in the cave where I formed my essence. It was like a feeling of being surrounded by water. Not just the energy, in fact, at that time, it never felt about World Force, but the nature, the spiritual property of the element itself.

The room became damp at first, dripping of water moments later. Then, eventually, total immersion until I was brought to a scene far more magnificent. Brought to that beast’s eye, the one that cooled the world.

Luna, how long can you withstand fire? I asked her.

She constricted sharply, tension flaring. I’m sorry, what? Fire?! Why would I handle any fire?!

I shook my head, already thinking ahead. This is important. What if I covered you, and my arm in water?

WE’D BOIL! she protested, full panic.

Right, right. Okay... I adjusted. How about a container of ice? Not touching you, just surrounding you.

She loosened slightly. I heard something like a breath.

What’s this about, Peter? she asked. You’re starting to freak me out.

I straightened, the plan already forming in my mind. You know, maybe you should be more open to it. Fire’s the only element you’re missing, too.

I paused, watching her softly glowing form coil in hesitation. What if we both pushed past the barrier of Spiritual Refinement? Form a Fire Essence. Bathe in fire.

Her petals flashed rapidly, erratic bursts of color rippling through her form.

Listen, she said, still panicked, I already said I was sorry. I really meant it! She rushed the words like she was trying to stop a punishment before it started. I’ll only take over when you let me. No surprises. I swear. I don’t think I’ve done anything that bad—

Come ooon, I cut her off, firm now. You can do this. We can do this. Safety comes first. We’ll take precautions. But you don’t want to go down in history as the legendary rose that mastered every World Force except fire, do you?

Wyrem chimed in immediately. He’s got a point. That would really put a stain on your whole ‘mythic hero’ story. How could you ever brag to your elders like that? Wouldn’t they tear you apart behind your back?

Then he launched into character impressions.

First: a decrepit old man, groaning, voice gravelly in my mind. She really came to brag about that? What does it matter if it’s not even complete?

Next: a prim, aging woman, her tone brittle with elegance and judgment. My grand-seedling may not be powerful, but at least she finishes what she starts.

Luna’s turquoise hue deepened with each jab, shifting from pale shimmer to solid glow.

She’d always talked about proving herself, but the more I thought about it, the more I started to wonder just what that really meant to her. There had to be something behind it.

The legends she’d mentioned before were simple. Grass slicing through stone, persistence over power, but Luna had long since evolved past that. She’d become something else entirely. If she focused purely on body refinement, I had no doubt she could carve through mountains, not just stone.

She’d always offered me strength and support when I faltered. I gave it back when I could, but maybe I hadn’t pushed her hard enough.

Even Wyrem had said it, letting things fester in the mind could slow your growth.

Fine! I’ll light myself on fire! Luna shouted in my head, exasperated and determined. They won’t be able to say a thing!

A beat passed.

But first… let’s finish with the Spirit. It wouldn’t hurt to delay just a little, right? 

I nodded. We’ll start as soon as we’re both finished.

And I’ll finally get to try some new cuisine, Wyrem added with a deeply satisfied sigh.